Words Matter

U.S. Constitution Word Cloud Map, by Romero Gomez

When we were kids on the playground at Woodland School, in the midst of raging games of four square and tetherball, we would reply to the taunts of playground bullies with a sing-song rhyme, “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never harm me.”

I’ve been thinking of that saying over the past week or so, realizing the fallacy of that idea. Words can have – and have had – a powerful impact on our civic life in this nation, painting images of threats, real and imagined, designed to influence action and genuine harm.

A note of disclaimer here. I’ve made a living and a life based on the use of words to share news of our times as a journalist in DC, on behalf of corporate and government leaders as a public relations practitioner, and for the last twenty years or so in university and academic medical center settings on behalf of science.

I’m very familiar with the power of repetition and redundancy, with the power of words to influence opinions and ideas. Repeat an idea over and over with resonance and power, and it will be shared broad and wide as fact. Even if it’s not.

That’s why I’ve maintained a sense of care and awe when using words. Initially, it was based on the oversight of corporate attorneys at the networks who wanted to ensure our reporting didn’t lead to a lawsuit. “Do you have the facts? Have you confirmed with more than one source? Are you ready to stake your reputation on this story?” This was before the Federal Communications Commission had eliminated the Fairness Doctrine – yes, I am that old – and network attorneys worked hard to uphold its standards and concepts.

In the past few weeks, we’ve heard and watched what happens after years of using words to attack and vilify those we don’t agree with. We hear our political leaders weaponize language against those in the other political party. And that violates the core of a civilized society. Any time someone begins a sentence with “All…” be prepared to be skeptical. All Democrats don’t agree on anything. And last week, we watched brave action by some Republicans – so All Republicans aren’t any one thing either.

I’ve lived long enough to have grown up, received an education, married, raised children, and enjoyed a career during the service of twelve U.S. Presidents. Seven have been Republicans, and five have been Democrats, with one more elected this past November. A little addition shows I’ve lived 38 years with Republican Presidencies and nearly 28 with Democrats in that role.

We can argue policy directions, the impact of regulations, whether the Income Tax initially passed by Republicans, or the Social Security and Medicare acts initially proposed by Democrats were wise. We can also disagree on whether public lands and national parks should remain development free forever, or on the wisdom of large infrastructure projects. This is what democracy is designed to do.

It is the words embodied in the core tenet of our constitutional democracy that established a country based on the rule of law – and the concept of justice – that deserve our close attention now.

These are the powerful words we need to hold tight – (as originally written) –

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

These words, misspellings and all, were written nearly 235 years ago and resonate with the promises they seek for our nation. And as I listen to the soaring rhetoric delivered powerfully by Martin Luther King, Jr. just half a century ago, I once again recognize that words can inspire and unite to greater purpose.

Choose your words wisely, my friends.